The Elections Coordinating Committee (ECC) Says It Views The Appointment By The Coalition Of Democratic Change (CDC) Of Government Officials On Its Campaign Team For The December 8, 2020 Special Senatorial Election As A Gross Violation Of The Code Of Conduct (part Five: Political Participation) That Regulates The Conduct Of Government Officials Related To Electoral Processes.
In A Press Release, The ECC Maintained That Respect For The Rule Of Law At Every Stage Of The Electoral Process Is The Foundation For Conducting Credible And Peaceful Elections.
It Quoted Section 5.1 Of The Code Of Conduct Which States That: All Officials Appointed By The President Of The Republic Of Liberia Shall Not To “engage In Political Activities, Canvass, Or Contest For Elected Offices” And Also “ Serve On A Campaign Team Of Any Political Party, Or The Campaign Of Any Independent Candidate.”
The Group Pointed Out That The Appointment Of Presidential Appointees To The CDC Campaign Team Is In Breach Of The Provisions Cited Above And Greatly Undermines The Integrity Of The Country’s Democracy.
The ECC Then Reminded Liberians That Democratic Governance Is Meaningless When The Laws Governing The Conduct Of Elections Are Disrespected, Ignored And Violated.
“the Conduct Of Election Does Not Guarantee Democracy. The Foundation Of Democracy Is Grounded In Respect For The Rule Of Law. When This Happens, Democracy Grows; It Is Deepened, And Consolidated,” It Said.
Meanwhile, The ECC Has Called On The CDC-led Government To Impress Upon The Leadership Of The Party To Remove The Names Of Presidential Appointees That Have Been Appointed To Server In Various Capacities On The CDC’s Campaign Team.
It Went On: “ECC Is Not Ignorant Of Violence Marring Ongoing Elections In The Region, Especially Our Immediate Neighbors Guinea And Ivory Coast And Calls On All Political Parties To Demonstrate Restrain, Diligence, And Due Care To Avoid Any Form Of Electoral Violence.”
It Noted That The Peace In The Region Is Already Fragile Due To Ongoing Political Processes And Liberia Must Do All It Can To Reduce The Risk Of Further Fragility.
Recently, The CDC Named Its Campaign Teasm, Headed By The Direcftor Of The Environment Protection Agency (EPA) Prof. Wilson Tarpeh